San Diego Padres: Week #18 recap

Recapping all of the action from the first week of August, as the San Diego Padres split a series with the Twins and dropped two of three in Pittsburgh.

The Padres had two off days during the first week of August, playing a two game interleague series at home against the Minnesota Twins and a three game road series versus the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Quality play was largely lacking during the five games with a total of two wins in the five games played. The Friars continue to score the majority of their runs via the long ball with few sustained rallies accounting for points.

As continues from the first half of the season, the pitching is inconsistent with the bullpen having an off week to start the month. Starters Jhoulys Chacin, Dinelson Lamet and Clayton Richard did not allow earned runs in their starts but only two resulted in wins.  Richard was the victim of poor defense and lack of run support.

Chacin and Lamet are on a strong streak, eating innings and giving effective performances. Travis Wood is an innings eater but his 5 inning, 4 runs allowed performance was not what the Padres were hoping for when they acquired him.

First baseman Wil Myers continues to struggle, going 3 for 19 with a HR while catcher Austin Hedges was a standout with a 5 for 13 week with two doubles and a homer, driving in two.

More from Friars on Base

• Fernando Tatis Jr. may not take to outfield move after Xander Bogaerts addition
• Padres News: Fernando Tatis Jr. trade rumors, Seth Lugo chase, Manny Machado
• Padres barely missed out on high-end veteran starting pitcher
• This veteran DH target seems ideal for contending Padres roster
• Padres got steal with Xander Bogaerts after Carlos Correa’s mega-deal

The Padres placed right-hander Jered Weaver on the 60-day DL and there has been no updates as to his status with the organization. There have been no mentions of him during game broadcasts that I have heard and the media is conspicuously silent regarding his future. The last update came from UT writer Dennis Lin, who tweeted that it was not expected that Weaver would pitch for the Padres again and quoted manager Andy Green that Weaver was being given “latitude to explore some things”. That was a month ago with no other information forthcoming.

Outfielder Travis Jankowski has completed his rehab assignment and was assigned to AAA El Paso. The performance of Jose Pirela in left field has left Jankowski with a 4th outfielder role and he would be better served to hit and play every day.

Next: Why aren't the Friars in last place?

The upcoming schedule has the Friars with four games in Cincinnati followed by three games against the Dodgers before returning home. With the Dodgers winning 43 of their last 50 games, the Padres will need to bring their A game to LA to avoid embarrassment.